Thursday, June 28, 2012

Road Hazards

We know of The Three
Kings; 3 meals a day; and placings of 1st, 2nd, 3rd.

The numeral 3
represents that which is

solid, substantial,
complete and entire.

Consider

the difference of
time: past, present, future;

three persons in
grammar ~ me, myself and I;

the sign of human ability is 3-fold ~ thought, word and
deed;

the 3 kingdoms of
matter ~ animal,vegetable and mineral;

the doctrine of
Christianity ~ The Trinity;

The number 3 is
mystical and spiritual...featured in folklore ~

3 wishes, 3 guesses,
3 little pigs, 3 blind mice, 3 bears.

Good things in our
lives often come in groups of three:

3 birthdays in a
month, 3 wedding invitations,

3 unexpected friends
who call...

and we rejoice, “How
Wonderful!”

Occasionally, the
occurrence of three events can be ominous...

(threatening,
inauspicious and unfavourable)

e.g. deaths and
funerals, accidents, rejections.

Yesterday, at a light industrial mall, I had stopped on an
errand.

Leaving from there to approach Appleby Line, I passed several vehicles parked
along the mall entrances to its numerous businesses.
Fortunately, I observe
“the tail lights” to ensure no driver (if at the wheel) is not going to act inadvertently
to back up.
Yes! A dark van on my right began his move backward...without
checking for
“traffic” along the exiting drive lane. My
horn “at ready”
warned him. Immediately, the brake lights became a vivid
red!
The driver had stopped!

Southbound on Appleby Line, and prior to my later
appointment I decided to
enjoy a salad at McDonald's with a “50% off coupon”. Suddenly, from a street
on my right, a vehicle shot in front of me (without stopping at
his stop sign)
and sped into the busy four lanes.
So Unexpected! I horned him and
had to
brake...to avoid a catastrophe.
The driver was unconcerned...he “beat the system”!

By now, my nerves are a bit edgy! I did enjoy the Tuscan Salad and solving

the Soduko puzzle of today.

My appointment was near Walker's Line and New Street. Oblivious that I was

driving on Fairview Street, I realize too late, this was not
New Street. In the

right lane, I had no choice except to go north, planning
to turn around at the

first opportunity to
head south toward my destination.
The inside lane showed

arrows for left turns...I signalled and began to initiate my
turn. Plenty of space

before the arriving southbound cars in two lanes. WOW! Nowhere to enter!!!

Straight in front was a concrete curb and small
grassy/gravelly area in front of

a fence. CHOICE? a) mount the curb b) cannot turn right into oncoming

traffic c) a quick check advised that my only choice was
a U-turn...with

sufficient space to do so!
Within a few seconds, a dark coloured SUV was

on my tail! Horn
blasting! She passed on my left, then
immediately drove

in front of my car in my lane and stopped pronto! Leaving her driver's side

door totally open (which could be hit by cars in the next
lane), she marched

with determination to my side window. She yelled and
screamed at me with

voice and fists.
Calmly, I observed this 35-40 year old woman dressed in

black pants and shirt as she ranted at my window. “I'm sorry,” I stated.

She shouted, “You almost killed me!!!” With my window still up...and

receiving no further responses from me...noticing the line
of traffic behind

me waiting to exit to Fairview Street, she doggedly returned
to her

open-door vehicle! But she wasn't through yet! With her digital camera

(perhaps her cell tel.) she continued to hold up traffic
while she photoed

my front licence plate, then photoed me through the
windshield...I was

wearing sunglasses. Then a few more unsavoury words...she
issued!

My question”? Why was
she so threateningly close to my rear bumper?

She had to be speeding and not looking...the only possible
explanation!

Three in One Day...is
Three Too Many!

Thrice Hazardous!

“Road Rage” is a term
that has become popular

to describe anyone's
hostile reactions when driving

that is directed toward
the other driver(s).

It occurs with all
ages and genders.

Advice: Refuse to allow the driver(s) you do not know

and will never see
again...to dictate your mood and determine

the quality of your
day. The angry or stressed-out driver

is a potentially
dangerous driver.

If she had observed what my driving dilemma was, she may have
been more
considerate. She was...speeding, I suspect...and totally unaware of
another
driver's predicament.

Was I upset? No. I
remained calm while she ranted and raged.

To confront her would
be “adding to her fire”.

I only spoke two
words.

Gary Magwood, a driving educator and trainer, states:

I receive letters and e-mails complaining about the behaviour and attitudes